In: Nursing
Jane Smith is a 27-year-old Caucasian woman. She presents to the physician’s office for follow-up after giving birth to her first child 6 weeks ago. The triage nurse notices that Mrs. Smith has a monotone speech pattern and a slowness to answer questions.
The physician diagnoses Mrs. Smith with depression and gives her a prescription for escitalopram (Lexapro) 10 mg every day. Prepare a teaching plan for educating Mrs. Smith about her medication?
Instruct the mother that it is used to treat depression and minor anxiety disorders.
The medication is started at a relatively lower dose and the dose is increased after one week. And it will take a month to get full benefit of the medication.
The major side effects of the medication include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, insomnia drowsiness and weakness.
Reassure the mother that the child will not be affected in anyway if she breast feds the baby.
Educate the mother not take any alcoholic beverages as it may worsen the side effects.
Gradually taper the dose before discontinuation. Abrupt discontinuation can cause dysphoric mood.
The family should be educated to communicate any sudden behavioural changes apart from the presenting symptoms and the medication to be discontinued after medical advice.
It is a pregnancy category C drug and can cause major problems to a fetus. Adequate contraception to be used. Safe to use in third trimester.